The drive from Denver to Mt Rushmore was fairly uneventful, we found a little campground only 2 miles from Mt Rushmore.

We tried to get up early and somehow failed, we eventually got out about 11am. We went to see Mt Rushmore, which is free to get in, but there is a $10 parking fee.... the nearest free parking was about 2 miles away! Brent was not amused at this!! The monument is very good and very large. We returned in the evening for the lighting and also an hour long program shown in the outdoor amphitheater which helps explain why they chose those 4 presidents.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rushmore

We then drove the famous Iron Mountain road which is steep and narrow, in some places the road "pig tails" around on itself using wooden bridges and the tunnels are so narrow we had to fold the wing mirrors in

We headed to the Badlands next, this place is truly awe inspiring. We were beginning to think we might be a little bit blaise about some of the things we are getting to see... its all merging into one blur, but the Badlands managed to blow us away again. Its a magnificent area, you can really see why it was called the Badlands by the french explores who were the one to name it, trying to cross it on foot or horse back would have been a nightmare.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badlands_National_Park

After leaving the Badlands area we had a mishap, we got a stone chip in the Beast's windscreen, the first damage to the Beast in 20,000 miles! This happened on a regular road not on a gravel or dirt track which we have spent plenty of time on.